John Siemer ripped in what proved to be the winning goal seven minutes into the second period as the Coquitlam Express out-lasted the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 3-1 Wednesday at Poirier Sports Complex to record their fifth straight B.C. Hockey League win.
The result boosted the Express to 19-12-2-2 -- 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 outings -- in fourth place in the eight-team Coastal Conference, just five points back of the leading Cowichan Valley Capitals.
The last time the Express lost was Dec. 11, when they were tripped 5-4 by the visiting Capitals.
A Cody Michelle marker staked the Express to a 1-0 first-period margin before Siemer upped the Coquitlam lead to 2-0.
After the Bulldogs trimmed the lead to 2-1 shortly after, the Express hung tough and got an empty net tally from Justin Georgeson with seven ticks to go to seal the victory.
Cole Huggins stopped 37 shots in the Express cage and was named the game's first star.
The Express host the third-place Powell River Kings at 7 p.m. Saturday and the first-place Capitals at 2 p.m. Sunday, both at Poirier.
